This article series is about the tools of popular guitarists. What are their favorite guitars and how is it related to them? This time with Michael Sweet (Stryper, Iconic)
When you start guitar playing and do you remember your first guitar?
My parents bought me my first guitar when I was approximately five years old. It was a nylon string acoustic guitar and that’s what I learned to play early on. Then my dad started teaching me chords on a Gibson 12 string jumbo guitar. And then not long after that, I bought my first electric guitar which was an Epiphone electric.
What are your influences and which guitar players are your favs?
My influences range early on from Chuck Berry and Scotty Moore to John Fogerty and then I started getting into guys like Michael Schenker, Eddie Van Halen and Randy Rhoads. I’m also a big fan of John Sykes. All of the above have helped shape me as a musician.
How many guitars do you own and what are your favorite models?
At this point in time I own approximately 37 guitars. I’ve got a few more on the way that are being built for me and I’ll be close to 40 at that time. I like every single guitar and they all hold sentimental value. A few of my favorites are my Sully guitars, my PRS guitar‘s, my Gibson guitars and my old Jackson’s. I do appreciate and love them all though.
What do you think makes the perfect guitar and amp?
It just depends on the player and the performer. Anything that feels right in your hands and that sounds right when you plug it into an amp. Whatever speaks to you as you’re holding a note and playing a chord is what works best. For some guys it’s Fender or Gibson and other guys it’s Marshall or Mesa Boogie- and it just depends on what you’re going for in your head in terms of sound. I personally always preamp whatever head I’m using which is usually a Marshall or a Mesa Boogie. I preamp that with an EQ and then I run a post EQ as well to shape my tone which is very important pre-and post. I use a little delay, but not much and it’s a very simple tone. No reverb at all and that’s pretty much it.
How do you feel about the question of modeler or tube amp?
I’m not a fan of modelers. A lot of guys use them and I own a fractal myself and a few line 6 products and I never use them at all. They just sit on my shelves and collect dust. I don’t like the digital town that comes with those boxes. At least in my opinion. I’m using the signature pedal made by ISP and it is not a modeler and that’s the difference. Its digital in the programmable sense, but analog in terms of the distortion and the way it sounds is very warm and in your face. That’s why I’m using it because it works very well for me.
Which guitars and amps were used on the new album or for recordings?
I used any VH 50 white head with EL 34 tubes and I preempt that with the tech 21Q strip pedal and then we ran that into a Two-Notes Captor ex and went direct for all the rhythm sounds. The lead sounds are direct and miked and that’s a combination of both.
When you only can choose one guitar, which one will you take?
That’s a very tough question, but if I had to pick one I will probably take my Sully Trella 71. It’s an all-around guitar that can do everything pretty much.
